stinky tofu–not as rank as it is in Taiwan, but still, pretty decent on the stink-o-meter

After a week’s worth of excellent meals out–really, I’ve been lucky out in the restaurant reviewing department of late–I meant to cook a simple meal at home last Friday night. But what I was craving was Taiwanese beef noodle soup, something I often prepare at home, but requires a lengthy simmering process. It came to me that my husband and I have yet to try Henry’s Bento, a restaurant recommended to us by our friend Jay Friedman a few weeks ago. (The name cracks me up because: 1) Henry is my husband’s name and 2) it is a Chinese eatery with a Japanese name.) When I read online that they also served Taiwanese beef noodle soup, I knew we had to check it out for dinner.

Taiwanese beef noodle soup

Unfortunately, the beef noodle soup was pretty weak–the flavor was thin, not heady with aromatics like star anise, ginger, scallion, chilis, and garlic. Also, it contained preserved mustard greens, which I enjoy except in Taiwanese beef noodle soup, where the salty, pungent flavor just seems out of place. Luckily, the plate of stinky tofu was very nice–definitely better (stinkier, cheesier, with a more delicately fried crust) than the stinky tofu from Chiang’s Gourmet in Lakecity.

fish in soy bean sauce. Skip this dish.

The fish was the next dish to arrive, and it was definitely the weakest dish of the night. The balance in the sauce was off, and we left most of the plate untouched.

Beef “bing”, essentially a large, pan-fried beef dumpling

The best dish by far was the beef “bing”, a juicy, garlic-heavy patty of beef encased in chewy dumpling dough, and pan-fried til crisp. I can see us coming back for this dish often–it tastes like home.

All in all, a mixed meal. Thumbs up to the stinky tofu and the beef bing, thumbs down to the beef noodle soup and the fish. Regardless, it’s difficult to find decent Chinese food here in Seattle, and the two dishes were decent enough that we’ve agreed to return and explore the rest of the menu. (Our friend Jay recommends the oyster soup–must get that next time.)

Psst…Henry’s Bento is run by the same chef from Rocking Wok in Wallingford, and there’s a few of the same dishes on the menu here, like the three-cup chicken–of which I am a fan, and the (rather dry) fried pork cutlets–of which my husband is a fan, and I am not. And in case you are wondering, Henry’s Bento does not serve the sole reason I ate regularly at Rocking Wok: the thousand layer pancake. Boo.

Henry’s Bento is located at 502 S. King Street in the I.D. (206.624.2611)